NFL Trade Speculation: Potential Buyers for an Albert Haynesworth Short Sale

While many are quick to talk about the Washington Redskins and their current situation with veteran quarterback Donovan McNabb, people seem to have forgotten that Mike Shanahan and the front office are likely more adamant about shipping defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth than they are McNabb.

The nine-year veteran is set to turn 30 before the start of the season, and his relationship with Shanahan and the rest of the team hasn't necessarily been a healthy one. Not only does Haynesworth not fit the scheme, but he's also out of shape and has tons of baggage.

That being said, no matter how crazy it may sound, there could be some potential suitors looking to land Fat Albert, and the Redskins are in need of some mid-round draft picks. Could the Redskins be so lucky? Probably not, but here's 10 potential (and strictly speculative) landing places for Haynesworth. 

1. Denver Broncos

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NEW ORLEANS, LA - MARCH 22: Denver Broncos head coach John Fox answers questions from the media during the NFL Annual Meetings at the Roosevelt Hotel on March 22, 2011 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Despite a NFL owners imposed lockout in effect since March 1

With new head coach John Fox at the helm, the Broncos will likely revert back to the 4-3 defensive scheme, and the defensive tackle slot is a position of need. 

Currently, the Broncos are without legitimate tackles for the defensive line, and Haynesoworth could help fill a large gap. Numerous mock drafts have the Broncos selecting Alabama defensive lineman Marcell Dareus with the No. 2 overall pick, and they could actually still go through with that—pairing the young Dareus with the veteran Haynesworth to clog the middle. Or, with a Haynesworth acquisition, perhaps the Broncos could focus more towards a Patrick Peterson or Von Miller.

Unfortunately for the Redskins, the Broncos are without picks in either the fourth or fifth round. Although their third-round pick is extremely attractive, I think the Redskins would be dreaming if they honestly thought they could land it for Fat Albert. Denver does have two sixth-round picks that they could dangle in front of Washington, but I think Shanahan would really like a fourth or fifth.  

2. Jacksonville Jaguars

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JACKSONVILLE, FL - DECEMBER 12: Terrance Knighton #96 of the Jacksonville Jaguars looks toward the scoreboard during the game against the Oakland Raiders at EverBank Field on December 12, 2010 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Imag

Second-year tackle Terrance Knighton wasn't bad last season, but lining up Haynesworth next to Tyson Alualu would really be a scary tandem. 

The Jaguars are also stacked with mid-round picks—possessing two fourth-rounders, a fifth and a sixth. Using one of their two fourth-rounders, Jacksonville could land another big man for the middle of their line that would fit the scheme. 

It's safe to say that head coach Jack Del Rio is on the hot seat this season as the Jags head coach and that may be enough to shy him away from trying anything too risky. Knowing Haynesworth and his background, acquiring the veteran for a fourth-rounder would definitely be a risk. 

3. Indianapolis Colts

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INDIANAPOLIS - NOVEMBER 01: Matt Schaub #8 of Houston Texans fumbles the ball while being tackled by Dwight Freeney #93 of the Indianapolis Colts during the NFL game at Lucas Oil Stadium on November 1, 2010 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyon

The obvious concern regarding Haynesworth in Indy is that the Colts organization has a reputation for being pretty classy. As we all know, Haynesworth is far from classy.

However, think of a defensive line with Dwight Freeney coming off of one end, Robert Mathis coming off the other and Albert Haynesworth penetrating the middle. Exactly.

Sometimes troubled players can go to certain teams and completely change their character. New England, for instance, is famous for turning men around in that way, and the Colts have the same ability. Indy has late picks in both the fifth and sixth rounds and they could be used to acquire the big fella.  

4. Tennessee Titans

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HOUSTON - DECEMBER 14: Defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth #92 of the Tennessee Titans paces by the bench before the game with the Houston Texans on December 14, 2008 at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Texas. The Texans won 13-12. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Ge

Seeing as how the Titans have had their name in the Haynesworth talk since the Redskins began talking trade, I'd say that Tennessee is the most likely scenario.

Not only did Haynesworth play the best football of his career while in a Titans uniform, but he has openly expressed his familiarity and comfortability with the organization, and he'd certainly welcome a return.

The Titans could use an upgrade along the defensive line, and the team could use their compensatory fourth round pick or their fifth-rounder to re-acquire Haynesworth.

Potential problems? Well, I currently have the Titans selecting Auburn defensive tackle Nick Fairley with the eighth overall pick in my mock draft, and I'm not sure that a mentoring Albert would necessarily be a positive thing for a rookie with reported character issues of his own.  

5. Cincinnati Bengals

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CINCINNATI - DECEMBER 26: Marvin Lewis the Head Coach of the Cincinnati Bengals watches play during the NFL game against the San Diego Chargers at Paul Brown Stadium on December 26, 2010 in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Bengals 34-20. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty

This one may be too easy.

As we've all come to realize over the last few years, head coach Marvin Lewis and the Bengals are not afraid of any player with reported character issues. In fact, it almost seems as if they welcome them. And that's not a cut against the organization, I actually commend it. But that's the real reason why they're on my list of potential teams that could land Albert. 

After a rough 2010 season, all of the Bengals picks come early in the rounds and that will be appealing to Shanahan and the Redskins—but perhaps not so appealing for the team that is sending the picks away. 

The Bengals defense is a very stout group, and adding a disruptor like Haynesworth along the defensive line between young and explosive pass-rushers like Carlos Dunlap, Robert Geathers and Michael Johnson could work well. All parties would just keep their fingers crossed that Haynesworth wouldn't become a disruptor off the field. 

6. Seattle Seahawks

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CHICAGO, IL - JANUARY 16: Head coach Pete Carroll of the Seattle Seahawks looks on during pregame warmups before the Seahawks take on the Chicago Bears in the 2011 NFC divisional playoff game at Soldier Field on January 16, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois. (P

After struggling on defense last season and with two fifth-rounders to spare, why wouldn't Pete Carroll and the Seahawks welcome an upgrade along their defensive line?

Seattle is a 4-3 team that saw a lot of individual success from defensive ends Raheem Brock and Chris Clemons last season, but adding Haynesworth would help to clog the middle and hopefully improve the team's run defense (21st in the league in terms of yards allowed).

7. Detroit Lions

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DETROIT, MI - DECEMBER 12: Head coach Jim Schwartz of the Detroit Lions looks on while playing the Green Bay Packers for a fourth quarter touchdown on December 12, 2010 at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan. Detroit won the game 7-3 (Photo by Gregory Shamus

After working as Haynesworth's defensive coordinator for his entire playing career with the Tennessee Titans, the Lions were another team that we heard thrown around with potential deals involving Albert. 

Pairing someone like Haynesworth with a young and talented Ndamukong Suh has both its advantages and disadvantages. From a production standpoint, Suh and Haynesworth in the middle would be the best defensive tackle pairing in the entire league. But from an individual progression standpoint, I would hate to see Haynesworth's attitude rub off on Suh—in any way at all.

The Lions have picks in the fourth, fifth and sixth rounds. But, at the end of the day, I think Suh is entirely too valuable to risk by bringing in a potential locker room problem.

8. Houston Texans

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HOUSTON - OCTOBER 10: Mario Williams #90 of the Houston Texans in action during the game against the New York Giants at Reliant Stadium on October 10, 2010 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

Houston's defense was one of the worst in the league last season, so naturally bringing in help along the defensive front is a priority. 

Of course, Mario Williams is a freakish athlete coming off the edge, but the Texans had limited-to-no push from the middle of the line (although I do like Akoye). Haynesworth would help limit the double-teams placed on Williams, and I think he'd be even more valuable if Houston added an outside pass-rusher or lockdown corner with their first round pick.

9. Chicago Bears

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CHICAGO, IL - JANUARY 23: Julius Peppers #90 of the Chicago Bears reacts while taking on the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Championship Game at Soldier Field on January 23, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

I know, the Chicago Bears defense from last season was one of the best in the league and I apologize to Bears fans for even mentioning your team in this list. But tell me it wouldn't awesome to have Julius Peppers rounding the edge with Haynesworth storming up through the center of opposing offensive lines.

I'm of course picturing top-notch production out of Haynesworth and another season from Peppers like the one we saw last year, but it's fun nonetheless. 

The Bears have picks late in the fourth, fifth and sixth, but I very highly doubt they mess with as good of a thing as their defense. Now if they could get Haynesworth to play left tackle...

10. St. Louis Rams

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SEATTLE, WA - JANUARY 02: Head coach Steve Spagnuolo of the St. Louis Rams stands on the field during their game against the Seattle Seahawks at Qwest Field on January 2, 2011 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

The Rams are in desperate need of an upgrade for the spot currently vacated by Gary Gibson, and Albert Haynesworth would fit perfectly. Steve Spagnuolo is a defensive-minded head coach and he knows the importance of having a truly intimidating defensive line—much like the one he coached when he was with the New York Giants. 

St. Louis are positioned in the middle of both the fourth and fifth rounds and they are without a sixth-rounder in this month's upcoming Draft. For the Redskins, an early pick in the fourth round would be a gift sent from the football gods, but the fifth-rounder would be the best thing coming by way of the Rams.